Defense post seventh clean sheet, Moor adds two assists

Commerce City, Colo. - After posting only one shutout in the last 11 games, the defense breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday by registering its seventh clean sheet of the season in the 3-0 win over Portland.

"It's nice. Obviously any time you win at home, any time you get a shutout and get three goals up on the board, it's a positive result," right back Drew Moor said afterwards. "I didn't think we played as well as we could have, but we finished our chances, which we've had trouble doing this year and we got the shut out which we've had trouble doing this year. Overall, it's a very positive night. It's something we want to look to build on these final six games and see what we can make of it."

"The defenders worked very hard," coach Oscar Pareja said. "They're trying to get that confidence back and keep our goal of zero (goals against). Matt (Pickens) had a wonderful play that kept us in the game, and I thought that Tyrone (Marshall), Marvell (Wynne), Drew, and Luis (Zapata), and the midfielders, did a good job today defending. They put a lot of effort in conserving that solidness that we've wanted."

Pickens made a fantastic save in the 75th minute to preserve a 2-0 lead. Portland's Diego Charra got behind the defense and ran towards goal, but Pickens reached with his right foot as he leaned left to prevent a goal (watch below).

Moor also helped out offensively, dishing out a career-high two assists on the night. Coming into the game, he had totaled three assists for his career.

"It's always nice to get on the score sheet whether it's a goal or an assist," he said. "Playing outside back, I like to play forward as much as I can to support the attack. It's not my specialty. I'm more naturally comfortable playing in the middle, but anytime you can get balls into the box and go forward, it's a big help for the attack."

Moor and the defense have a six games remaining to equalize the eight shutouts that team has reach in each of the past four seasons.